In the 13th century, when he pioneered the linkage of East and West, Marco Polo marveled at the beauty of the “Himroo fabrics” he found on India’s Deccan plateau. He felt they were worthy of the kings and queens of Europe.

For the past three years, Women Forward International (WFI) has partnered ZariZar Luxury Shawls & Minerals in India with the Parsons School of Design in New York to market this treasured heritage to the "West" and help preserve this ancient art.

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With the support of the US-India Friendship Alliance and generous individuals we brought Himroo’s story to New York City in fall 2024, curating an immersive gallery event with the Women’s Foreign Policy Group for the luxury brand ZariZar. The event spotlighted the intricate beauty of the craft and honored the hands that keep it alive.

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Together, we are now supporting the creation of a dedicated Crafts Village and Training Center for Women Weavers—an empowering space where Indian women weavers can train, grow, and lead. While the village is still being built, the spirit of the project is already alive: training sessions are underway at our working unit in Himroo Fabrics, and the first threads of change are already being woven.

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This spring 2027, Parsons students will collaborate again with our partners in India to "tell the story" of the forty rural women weavers being trained in this dying art—an immersive experience that connects them with external partners to address real-world design challenges rooted in sustainability and cultural preservation. As part of the project, students will further develop a strategic plan to expand market access—particularly in the United States—to uplift ZariZar’s community of women artisans, along with their families and communities.

Our Impact:

• 40 women weavers have participated in the training program in India.

• 15 women have mastered their skills and are now working as professional weavers.

• Women have reported a notable increase in their income through new job opportunities.

• A growing number of students and interns from design institutes are gaining hands-on experience and contributing to craft documentation.

• A increasingly community engagement and skill development is growing steadily.​

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